Nutritional Guidelines - Flowing Wells School District

Nutritional Guidelines
School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) mandates public school foodservice's national
health responsibility to provide healthy school meals consistent with the Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDA), age appropriate caloric goals, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Nutrient Standard Menu Planning System
Out of the five possible menu-planning systems created by USDA, Flowing Wells USD has adopted the
Nutrient Standard Menu Planning System. In comparison to the other menu planning systems, Nutrient
Standard Menus, when used with USDA approved nutritional analysis software; provide the most
complete accurate and current nutritional menu analysis.
The objective of this menu system is to meet the following nutritional goals established by the USDA
School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children:
• Meet 1/4 of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Breakfast
• Meet 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Lunch
• Meet age appropriate caloric goals
• Provide a menu consisting of balanced nutrient content
How are Nutrient Standards Determined
Specific Nutrient Standards are established for children based on the required level of calories, nutrients
and dietary components, and by weighting and averaging the RDA for a specific age or grade group.
When averaged over a week, breakfast and lunch meals must meet the nutrient standards
corresponding to the age specific group for which they were intended.
Previous menu planning systems focusing on the "Food Groups" are outdated and no longer considered
nutritionally adequate in providing a complete balanced diet. Below are two charts detailing the current
guidelines:
Optional Age Nutrient Standards for Nu Menus-Breakfast
Minimum Calories and Nutrient Levels for School Breakfast
Pre-School Grades K-6 Grades 7-12
Nutrients and Energy Allowances 388 554 618
Total Fat (g) * * *
Saturated Fat (g) ** ** **
RDA for Protein (g) 5 10 12
RDA for Calcium (mg) 200 257 300
RDA for Iron (mg) 2.5 3.0 3.4

RDA for Vitamin C (mg) 11 13 14
* Total fat not to exceed 30 percent of calories over a school week.
** Saturated fat to be less than 10 percent of calories over a school week.
Optional Age Nutrient Standards for Nu Menus-Lunch
Minimum Calories and Nutrient Levels for School Lunch
Pre-School Grades K-6 Grades 7-12
Nutrients and Energy Allowances 517 664 825
Total Fat (g) * * *
Saturated Fat (g) ** ** **
RDA for Protein (g) 7 10 16
RDA for Calcium (mg) 267 286 400
RDA for Iron (mg) 3.3 3.5 4.5
RDA for Vitamin A (RE) 150 224 300
RDA for Vitamin C (mg) 14 15 18
* Total fat not to exceed 30 percent of calories over a school week.
** Saturated fat to be less than 10 percent of calories over a school week.
(Reference: Administrator's Reference Manual for the Child Nutrition Programs, Texas Education Agency, April 2001
(pp.12.1-12.4; 12.101-12.114)
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